SEEKING GLORY DAYS AGAIN
Tiger, McIlroy in ‘deep end’ early in 100th PGA duel
TIGER Woods and Rory McIlroy, past major winners trying to rise once more from contenders to champions, tee off side-by-side when the 100th PGA Championship starts today.
Woods, eight months into a comeback from spinal fusion surgery, and McIlroy, seeking his first major win since the 2014 PGA, will be joined by defending champion Justin Thomas for the first two days over the 7,316-yard, par-70 Bellerive Country Club layout.
“You certainly get thrown at the deep end straight away in a group like that,” McIlroy said. “I guess it focuses you straight away. It’s going to be a big atmosphere out there and I’m looking forward to that.”
That trio and top-ranked Dustin Johnson are oddsmakers favorites for the year’s last major event on a rain-softened course where length will help but second shots into tight landing areas will be critical.
“It’s advantageous for the guys who hit the ball in the air and can carry it a long way. I just need to be able to do that,” Woods said.
“If you’re able to hit the ball well and put the ball in the right sections, you’ll see a bunch of birdies. If you don’t, you’ll see the field get separated pretty quickly.”
Woods, a 14-time major champion, has not won a major since the 2008 US Open and hasn’t won any event since the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational.
“He had to learn how to move again. He had to learn how to swing. I mean, 18 months ago the guy couldn’t walk,” McIlroy said. “To get to this point is a phenomenal achievement already.
“If he could go ahead and win another major with his fifth golf swing, I mean, that’s unbelievable.”
Fifth-ranked McIlroy has five top-10 showings in the past nine majors.
“The only thing I haven’t done is win enough,” McIlroy said. “I’ve given myself a lot of chances. I played in a lot of final groups and I haven’t played well enough when it has counted.”
Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth will make his second try at completing a Career Grand Slam after sharing 28th last year at Quail Hollow. He would join Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen in the feat with a victory.
“It will always be circled to complete the career Grand Slam, which will ultimately achieve a life-long goal for me, so certainly emphasis in my head on it, but nothing overpowering,” Spieth said.
Eighth-ranked Spieth could become the first to finish the Career Slam at a PGA and do it on the same course where South Africa’s Player did by winning the 1965 US Open.
“It’s a great position to be in,” said McIlroy, who needs the Masters to complete his own Career Slam. “He’s shown over the past few years he’s mentally very good, so I’m sure he won’t have a problem.”
That could reduce some edge for big hitters.
“Even though it’s going to be softer and wet, it’s got the potential for I think anybody to work their way up the board,” Spieth said.